British Values
As part of their curriculum, each maintained school should promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. Through their provision of SMSC, schools should:
• enable students to develop their self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-confidence;
• enable students to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law of England;
• encourage students to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of the school and to society more widely;
• enable students to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services in England;
• promote tolerance and harmony between different cultural traditions by enabling students to acquire an appreciation of and respect for their own and other cultures;
• encourage respect for all other people;
• encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied in England.
Within this, schools should also promote the fundamental British values of
- democracy
- the rule of law
- individual liberty
- mutual respect
- tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
As a result of promoting these values at St Wilfrid’s we hope to let children understand that they can:
- influence the decision making process in school just as adults can do so through the democratic process;
- be safe because of effective school rules just as society relies upon the rule of law to ensure individuals’ well being and safety;
- have influence over what happens in school, but know that some things are decided by those above them just as aspects of adult life are decided by government while other things (such as the law) are independent;
- have the right to their own beliefs and ideas just as the right to hold different faiths and beliefs in adult life is protected by law;
- hold beliefs and ideas and expect to have them accepted and tolerated by others just as different faiths or beliefs should not be the cause for prejudice or discrimination in adult life;
- play a role in identifying and combatting discrimination of any kind in school and should take this value with them when they leave St Wilfrid’s.
In St Wilfrid’s we promote these values in many ways.
Democracy
The democratic process is at the core of everything that happens in a classroom with teachers asking questions and children being encouraged to share their views and opinions. Children are involved in the process of choosing which books they read and which films they watch. Their opinions are sought to decide which charities are supported or which wet play toys and equipment are purchased. Children are asked their opinions on marking and feedback and upon the types of reward and sanction that are most effective. The election of School Council and Pupil Voice members is used to model the voting process and these bodies are then involved in some of the decision making within school while all children are given questionnaires regarding bullying and their views on school.
The Rule of Law
The importance of laws, be they governing the class, school or country, is consistently reinforced through the school’s daily practice. We encourage children to follow rules because they understand them rather than because they just exist. The reasoning behind rules is explained as is the responsibility that goes with them. Children are involved in making their own class contracts or rules and their responsibility to follow them is reinforced. Our underlying message is that the rules that we have help to keep us safe and ensure a happy school. If they are broken, there are consequences for the safety and happiness of the school community. Visits from such authorities as the Police, Fire Service and Road Safety help to reinforce this message.
Individual Liberty
Within the safe environment of school, children are encouraged to make informed individual choices. They are empowered to make safe decisions, to exercise their rights and freedoms through the way they use computers and digital technology in a safe and responsible way. Similarly. PSHE lessons educate the children in issues of healthy choices and in how to deal with issues such as friendship arguments or school related anxieties. Pupils are given opportunities to exercise their freedom of choice in the extracurricular clubs that are offered, the different ways they may present work and the way they approach home learning topics.
Mutual Respect
Respect is at the core of St Wilfrid’s. Children learn that their behaviour has an effect upon their own rights and of those around them. All members of the school community treat each other with respect and manners and politeness are promoted and rewarded. Consequences of what happens when respect is not shown are shared and explained and anti bullying strategies are explained and promoted.Children learn the importance of everyone’s role in the bigger picture of the school and society and are encouraged to do their part in working for the general good.
Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs
St Wilfrid’s is a Christian school but we place emphasis upon celebrating the diversity of the world around us. Children learn about different civilisations and their belief systems as well as learning about other faiths in RE. They learn that there are far more similarities between faiths than there are differences and that each of us has the right to follow our own faith free from the fear of persecution.
